CableVision boss Terry Roberson yesterday predicted the Court of Appeal will rule his company can drop channels 7 and 9.

A Telecommunications Commission injunction means that — for now at least — the entertainment service provider must continue to carry the channels boasting shows such as 'The Young And The Restless' and local news.

The injunction is in place while Government appeals Chief Justice Richard Ground's ruling earlier this month that Bermuda's legislations allow CableVision to choose not to carry ZBM in certain circumstances.

However, Mr. Roberson said in a statement: "CableVision is disappointed that the Telecommunications Commission's injunction will be allowed to stand during its appeal against Chief Justice Ground's ruling.

"The Chief Justice's ruling of 9 January is very clear and we expect that the Court of Appeal will confirm it when the appeal is heard in the next session. In the meantime, the Bermuda Broadcasting Company channels will remain part of our line-up.

"Our position remains the same. Our customers should not pay a fee for channels 7 and 9 when these channels are free for customers using antennae."

A row erupted between CableVision and Bermuda Broadcasting Corporation late last year following new legislation which meant it could no longer carry local broadcast channels for free.

Last November, CableVision announced it would drop the channels because of the newly-imposed fee, which it said it would have to pass on to its customers.

BBC president and CEO Bill Craig believes CableVision would be silly to deny its customers the chance to watch channels 7 and 9.

Responding to Mr. Roberson's latest statement, Mr. Craig said: "I'm not used to people before a court telling what they expect the court to do.

"I come from a school where we let the judges decide and see what they come up with.

"We also agree with the sentiments in CableVision's comment that they have been carrying our programme no charge. They don't have to increase their subscriber fees to carry our channels.

"We are asking for $1.50 per channel per subscriber. CableVision should be able to absorb our costs quite easily. People usually pay for their products that they sell to people. Our position is that cable rates don't need to go up."